The Lodgers

The thing is, when you do a story starter and just go with whatever pops in your head you have to go with it to the end- it’s fun but a little creepy at times- and I mean  creepy  in a good way. Today’s challenge:  Fandango’s Story Starter #116

You should have seen the look on his face

when I dared him to turn around and take one look, just one quick look

at what was nailed to the wall behind him.

The thing behind him roared like a house on fire, it barked like a dog, it even bellowed

like a bull

but he was to afraid to turn around and look it in the eyes which were as green

as mold on a rotten piece of meat.

” Go on, take a peek, it can’t hurt you, it can’t even move. “

But he didn’t believe me, he just stood there like a corpse .

” If I do what you say, will you let me go? ” he asked the wall in front of him.

I counted to three, just to make it seem like I was considering his plea and I said ‘sure’.

He turned around and looked at the thing that was nailed on the wall behind him-

the cracked mirror in the broken silver frame, nailed to the wall.

The broken bones in his neck creaked  as  he turned his face away from me and back to

the wall in front of  him

and then he roared like a house on fire, he barked like a dog, and bellowed like a

bull

as my lodgers will surely do, in this house I no longer haunt alone.

Beauty and Starfish

Daily Prompt: What could you do more of?

Pompeii Exhibit- Seattle WA Photo A.M. Moscoso

I could smile more

I could send more positive vibes

out into the Universe and the world around me.

I could love more and hate less

I could be bright and happy instead of so dark.

OR

I could do none of those things

and be as happy as a little clam on a beach

with nothing but Starfish and sharks and a stormy Ocean for company.

Let me ponder, let me think.

It’s not really a hard choice is it?

Sea you at the Beach-

Artist Unknown

The Spider’s Parlour

#100DAYSOFHALLOWEEN HAPPY-WEB

“Will you walk into my parlour?” said a spider to a fly;
” ‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy.
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many pretty things to shew when you are there.”
“Oh no, no!” said the little fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”

Edna Tichenor as “Arachnida, the Human Spider” in Tod Browning’s 1927 silent film THE SHOW

Said the cunning spider to the fly, “Dear friend, what shall I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have, within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome – will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no!” said the little fly, “kind sir, that cannot be,”
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see.”

A paranormal monster in the 1907 French silent horror film HOUSE OF GHOSTS (La maison ensorcelée) by Segundo de Chomón. Clips from the film were used in the 2014 movie THE BABADOOK.

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue:–
Thinking only of her crested head, poor foolish thing! – At last
Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast.

Edna Tichenor (as Arachnida, the Human Spider) and John Gilbert in the 1927 silent Tod Browning horror film THE SHOW, one of several of Browning’s films to feature a carnival backdrop. (Silent and Pre-Code Horror)

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour – but she ne’er came out again!
– And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly

— Mary Howitt (1829)

So Noted

#100DAYSOFHALLOWEEN HAPPY-Superstition

in Hoodoo Crossroads are where two roads meet to form an X.    Photo By: Jeremy Owen

In Wales, there is a superstion that says  a disembodied spirit was thought to be sitting on every crossroad and stile on All Hallow’s Eve. (Stiles are small structures that allow humans, but not animals, to pass over fences.)

The smart thing to do then is to avoid Crossroads on Halloween because you don’t know what you will run into, and it is safe to say” it”  probably won’t be waiting for you with a bowful of Bite Sized Snickers bars.

Disembodied Spirits are dangerous- they’re devilish when it comes right down to it.

Photographer Unknown

M’kay. Warning noted.

So I guess I will see you there.

amm